Access in Action: Two Cerritos College-backed bills signed into law, advancing college access and career pathways statewide
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 22, 2026
Media Contact: Aya Aoki; Public Relations and Communications
NORWALK, Calif. – September 22, 2026 – Two Cerritos College-backed efforts to remove barriers along the student journey are now California law, advancing the college’s vision to get students in, get through, and get ahead.
Governor Gavin Newsom signed AB 1636, authored by Assemblymember José Luis Solache, simplifying the transition to college while preserving students’ choice of whether and where they enroll. The Governor also signed AB 2466, authored by Assemblymember Mike Fong, expanding support for paid work-based learning through California's Strong Workforce Program.
Helping students access college with ease
Cerritos College saw an opportunity to simplify a complicated, overwhelming application and enrollment process for students in partnership with Bellflower High School. Through the College Bound Buccaneers program, the College brings personalized onboarding directly to high school students, guiding them through each step and increasing college application completion by 66 percent and enrollment by 136 percent.
That success became the foundation for AB 1636. Working with Assemblymember Solache, Cerritos College identified a way to extend that same personal attention and support to more students by using information already provided to local high schools to create a ready-to-enroll college student record. Working with participating K-12 partners and the California Community College Chancellor’s Office, Cerritos College will develop a pilot framework that connects students with support earlier, before confusing processes become a barrier to higher education.
"For so many working families and first-generation students in our community, higher education is the ultimate doorway to opportunity, yet too many get lost in the administrative gap between high school and college. With the passage of AB 1636, we are creating a student record pilot program that removes administrative barriers and improves college access for students," said Assemblymember José Luis Solache, Jr. (D-Lynwood). "I commend Cerritos College for their leadership and unwavering commitment to expanding student access. This legislation will now open a clearer pathway for students across our region to attend community college."
"AB 1636 is a significant win for our students and our community,” said President/Superintendent Dr. Jose Fierro. “This is what Students First looks like in practice: we saw a real barrier facing our students, and we worked with our K-12 partners and Assemblymember Solache to fix it. Now the real work begins, as we bring this law to life and make sure every student knows a college education is within reach."
Expanding paid pathways from college to careers
For many community college students, gaining career experience means taking time away from the jobs they rely on to support themselves and their families. That challenge drove Cerritos College to co-sponsor AB 2466. The new law expands support for paid work experience through California's Strong Workforce Program, creating more opportunities for students to earn while they learn, gain experience in high-demand fields, and begin a path toward economic mobility sooner.
“Creating stronger pathways from education to employment is critical to student success,” said Assemblymember Mike Fong. “AB 2466 strengthens the Strong Workforce Program by expanding access to paid work-based learning opportunities that help students build skills, gain valuable experience, and prepare for good-paying careers. I thank Cerritos College and the Los Angeles Community College District for supporting this measure and helping create stronger pathways from the classroom to the workforce.”
AB 1636 removes barriers to getting into college. AB 2466 strengthens the path from college to career. Together, the new laws advance Cerritos College's vision to help students get in, get through, and get ahead.
About Cerritos College: Cerritos College serves as a comprehensive community college for southeastern Los Angeles County. Communities within the college’s district include Artesia, Bellflower, Cerritos, Downey, Hawaiian Gardens, La Mirada, Norwalk, and portions of Bell Gardens, Lakewood, Long Beach, Santa Fe Springs and South Gate. Cerritos College offers nearly 300 degrees and certificates in nine divisions. Annually, more than 5,000 students successfully complete their course of studies, and enrollment currently averages 21,000 students. Visit Cerritos College online at www.cerritos.edu.
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